Targeted Strike on Yemen’s Mukalla Port by Saudi-led Coalition

On December 30, 2025, the Saudi-led coalition executed a focused military operation at Mukalla port in Yemen, claiming that foreign-backed vessels were supplying weapons to the southern separatists known as the Southern Transitional Council (STC). This development comes just days after the coalition issued a warning to the STC regarding potential military actions in Hadramout province.

The Operation Details

According to reports from the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA), coalition air forces initiated the operation early on a Tuesday morning. They targeted unloaded arms and vehicles at the port. Coalition spokesperson Turki al-Malki confirmed that two ships had entered Mukalla on the preceding Saturday and Sunday without authorized permission, deactivated their tracking systems, and offloaded significant amounts of weaponry and military vehicles to bolster the STC.

Response from Yemeni Authorities

Following the airstrike, Rashad al-Alimi, the Saudi-backed head of Yemen’s presidential council, stated that all United Arab Emirates forces must vacate Yemen within a tight 24-hour timeframe. The SPA quoted him saying, “Given the danger and escalation posed by these weapons, the coalition air forces carried out a limited military operation this morning targeting weapons and combat vehicles that had been unloaded from the two ships at the port of al-Mukalla.”

Precision and Impact of the Strike

Two sources informed Reuters that the military strike specifically targeted the dock where the cargo was delivered. The coalition asserted that there were no injuries or collateral damage from the operation, stressing that the military action was executed in line with international humanitarian law.

Context of Rising Tensions

This strike occurred amid escalating tensions following a recent offensive by the STC against Yemeni government forces supported by the coalition. Saudi Defence Minister Khalid bin Salman Al Saud urged the STC troops to “peacefully hand over” control of two regional governorates to the government. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio called for “restraint and continued diplomacy” aimed at achieving a sustainable resolution.

The Landscape of a Divided Yemen

Initially, the STC was part of the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen in 2015 to fight against the Houthis. Over time, however, the group has pursued self-governance in southern Yemen. Since 2022, backed by the United Arab Emirates, the STC has controlled various southern territories while navigating a Saudi-supported power-sharing agreement. Recently, the STC has been making significant territorial gains, expelling other government forces and their allies.

Conclusion

The military operation at Mukalla port underscores the ongoing tensions in Yemen, particularly concerning the actions of foreign-backed forces and local separatists. As the situation evolves, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution in the complex landscape of Yemen’s ongoing conflict.

Key Takeaways:

• The Saudi-led coalition targeted Mukalla port to intercept foreign military support for the STC.
• Rashad al-Alimi demanded the rapid withdrawal of UAE forces from Yemen.
• The coalition claimed no casualties resulted from the operation, conducted under humanitarian laws.
• The STC has increasingly assertive control over southern Yemen, complicating the political landscape.